The first quarter of this year is almost gone and I'm sure everyone would agree that a lot has happened. From deaths to weddings to comical viral sensations (my oga at the top) to the usual political brouhaha and drama, it has been one heck of a year. Personally I have felt a little overwhelmed with things happening this year and have spent many moments processing it mentally and spiritually. We all entered the new year hoping for better things to come this year and thankfully for some people that has happened while for others the reverse has been the case.
Starting with death, it came 'close to home' this year with the loss of a cousin, a family friend, a sister-in-law and an acquaintance from secondary school. Four deaths in two months, most of which were within two to three weeks apart, that the "RIP" status on my social media page became the order of the day and at some point was emotionally exhausting. What can I say if not that the feebleness of life is a reminder that we really are chasing the wind and that everything outside of God and a purpose driven life is vanity. Just like you and me, these four people made plans as each day passed by. They planned for the present and the future and imagined they would watch their kids get married and someday they would grow old. Somewhere in the recesses of their mind death was an option someday but not anytime soon as they couldn't imagine dying young and unfulfilled but sadly death doesn't respect plans and so before they had time to catch their breath, the inevitable quiet end came knocking on their doorpost. How sad.. May all the souls of the faithful departed be with God.
Onto weddings ;).. I've attended ONLY one wedding this year (for a Nigerian that is a poor statistics in 3 months, we too marry) and might I add that just like a typical Nigerian would do, I went uninvited! Which brings me to the subject of the 'collectivist' nature of our society, is it a good or bad thing to be this communal that we can freely walk into a strangers special moment and partake without contributing anything? My masters dissertation was about culture and one key subject raised was 'collectivism' which is basically the level of social interactions in the society. While it has many advantages as you can rely on your friends or neighbors and sometimes total strangers to be there for you in times of need, are the disadvantages more when it comes to thinks like planning a wedding? Ideally you want 300 people at your wedding but knowing the culture you are from you end up planning for 600 people, irrespective of your financial capabilities, because it is expected that "extra mouths" will be there (without gifts if I might add!!) and they should be fed. Oh well I guess we can't blame people who now do weddings strictly by invitation to avoid stories that touch! And on a final note for this wedding subject, mine is coming up soon and just like I crashed someones wedding, I expect mine to be crashed too so feel free to bring yourself to eastern Nigeria (if you can find a commercial airline in naija to fly these days)! lol..
Comical viral sensations, my oga at the top!!! Now this is one man who made an entire nation, home and abroad, laugh their heads off for over a week! Talk about national comic/embarrassment.. I won't write too much about this because the story has been exhausted in all forms with music videos, tees, mugs, etc.... People couldn't get enough of the joke of an interview captured on national television by Channels TV station, discussing the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC). When I first saw the video I was mortified and embarrassed at the man's supposed 'ignorance' that I didn't notice the epic line 'my oga at the top', until the slogan broke out! Well all I can say is "well done Mr Shem for publicizing your organization in the most comical way ever,....dats all!!"..lol..
On the political front, GEJ should please revoke his presidential pardon of Alams so we can hear word and so we can believe once more that the battle to fight corruption has hope! How did we get to this point where we are defined and judged globally by how corrupt we are??! Lord help!
Three eventful months gone and nine more to go. Personally I want weddings and more comical sensations to happen but no more deaths please, enough for a season already.
Just my morning musings and now its time to carve out my JD at my new job where I have no structured JD!!!(another fundamental gbese with Nigerian companies, smh).
Ciao!
Coco-C
Starting with death, it came 'close to home' this year with the loss of a cousin, a family friend, a sister-in-law and an acquaintance from secondary school. Four deaths in two months, most of which were within two to three weeks apart, that the "RIP" status on my social media page became the order of the day and at some point was emotionally exhausting. What can I say if not that the feebleness of life is a reminder that we really are chasing the wind and that everything outside of God and a purpose driven life is vanity. Just like you and me, these four people made plans as each day passed by. They planned for the present and the future and imagined they would watch their kids get married and someday they would grow old. Somewhere in the recesses of their mind death was an option someday but not anytime soon as they couldn't imagine dying young and unfulfilled but sadly death doesn't respect plans and so before they had time to catch their breath, the inevitable quiet end came knocking on their doorpost. How sad.. May all the souls of the faithful departed be with God.
Onto weddings ;).. I've attended ONLY one wedding this year (for a Nigerian that is a poor statistics in 3 months, we too marry) and might I add that just like a typical Nigerian would do, I went uninvited! Which brings me to the subject of the 'collectivist' nature of our society, is it a good or bad thing to be this communal that we can freely walk into a strangers special moment and partake without contributing anything? My masters dissertation was about culture and one key subject raised was 'collectivism' which is basically the level of social interactions in the society. While it has many advantages as you can rely on your friends or neighbors and sometimes total strangers to be there for you in times of need, are the disadvantages more when it comes to thinks like planning a wedding? Ideally you want 300 people at your wedding but knowing the culture you are from you end up planning for 600 people, irrespective of your financial capabilities, because it is expected that "extra mouths" will be there (without gifts if I might add!!) and they should be fed. Oh well I guess we can't blame people who now do weddings strictly by invitation to avoid stories that touch! And on a final note for this wedding subject, mine is coming up soon and just like I crashed someones wedding, I expect mine to be crashed too so feel free to bring yourself to eastern Nigeria (if you can find a commercial airline in naija to fly these days)! lol..
Comical viral sensations, my oga at the top!!! Now this is one man who made an entire nation, home and abroad, laugh their heads off for over a week! Talk about national comic/embarrassment.. I won't write too much about this because the story has been exhausted in all forms with music videos, tees, mugs, etc.... People couldn't get enough of the joke of an interview captured on national television by Channels TV station, discussing the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC). When I first saw the video I was mortified and embarrassed at the man's supposed 'ignorance' that I didn't notice the epic line 'my oga at the top', until the slogan broke out! Well all I can say is "well done Mr Shem for publicizing your organization in the most comical way ever,....dats all!!"..lol..
On the political front, GEJ should please revoke his presidential pardon of Alams so we can hear word and so we can believe once more that the battle to fight corruption has hope! How did we get to this point where we are defined and judged globally by how corrupt we are??! Lord help!
Three eventful months gone and nine more to go. Personally I want weddings and more comical sensations to happen but no more deaths please, enough for a season already.
Just my morning musings and now its time to carve out my JD at my new job where I have no structured JD!!!(another fundamental gbese with Nigerian companies, smh).
Ciao!
Coco-C
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